Mould!

[bambini]

Let's clear this up. The mould (let's call it mould for the sake of argument) I had looked like this (this was just a google image as I haven't taken a pic of the mould I had and now I've wiped it off )

http://education.vigilantinc.com/cigar/mold.html

I really do think it's mould.

Tipp - good suggestions. The cigars were indeed stored tight under the humidifier. Probably a bit much for the poor little guys

Let's talk prevention then. Assuming I've got rid of the mould, how to I stop this headache in future?

[Aussiewaz]

Had some Monty A's a while back, mold had reached or started at the foot.
I sinned... cropped of a centimetre , wiped them, left them for a month & smoked 'em... perfect smoke .

I agree. I've done the same. If it's only light on the foot lop it off & have a look.

[bambini]

P.S. I have indeed only had the smokes for 6 months - good guess!

[Puff Scotty]

Let's clear this up. The mould (let's call it mould for the sake of argument) I had looked like this (this was just a google image as I haven't taken a pic of the mould I had and now I've wiped it off )

http://education.vigilantinc.com/cigar/mold.html

I really do think it's mould.

Tipp - good suggestions. The cigars were indeed stored tight under the humidifier. Probably a bit much for the poor little guys

Let's talk prevention then. Assuming I've got rid of the mould, how to I stop this headache in future?

If it's like the pictures it's mould...
Mould can strike anywhere, good housekeeping is your best bet at whatever level you decide you like to smoke your stogies.

[daverave999]

Pics would help if you can!

It is impossible for a 6 MO cigar to have plume as it has not even undertaken the 2nd ferment.

I disagree. A sharp change in humidity can also cause 'blooming'. It's a function of the oils migrating to the wrapper. Whether that be through unstable humidity or age...

If you want to drop the humidity, just get a Boveda pack with a lower set level! They do 65% ones too...

[Puff Scotty]

I agree. I've done the same. If it's only light on the foot lop it off & have a look.

I must admit to also thinking about the price of the buggers

[Smallclub]

If it's white and can be easily bushed off, it doesn't sound like mold, which is often blue and stains the wrapper.

Mold IS white (it's called "white mold") and can be easily brushed off. Blue mold is rare and never occurs in a monitored humidor.
As for "plume": plume is made of oil crystals, it does NOT look like mould; no confusion possible unless you're not able to make the difference between crystal and spores; more, it never comes on young cigars.
I have seen 2 or maybe 3 occurences of plume in the last 10 years, always on vintage cigars that were quite dry.

[Aussiewaz]

Dave, if you have cigars that are less than even 5 years old with definite plume I'll buy them right now! The oils entering the wrapper will give it a nice sheen, not plume, or bloom, whichever term you prefer.

[Puff Scotty]

It's a function of the oils migrating to the wrapper

.

Absolutely agree with the rest but thought it was the oils drying out after migration to the wrapper not an inherent function..

[daverave999]

Yeah but they can't dry out if they aren't there! I'll see if I can find the reference for the humidity change bloom.

[Smallclub]

I'll see if I can find the reference for the humidity change bloom.

According to MRN (posted in a forum) it occurs after a drastic change of ambiant temperature and/or humidity?

[daverave999]

According to MRN (posted in a forum) it occurs after a drastic change of ambiant temperature and/or humidity…

We've read it in the same place then if it was 'Wayne'.

Thanks!

[bambini]

I'm still wondering why I got mould in the first place. If I assume that my hygro is calibrated OK, then my RH is 70%. Is it possible to get mould at 70%? I thought you needed an RH of 80 or so.

I know that tipp mentioned that it might just be the location of the cigars relative to the humidifier (i.e. right underneath), causing saturation. If I move my sticks around a bit, am I just going to get mould on any cigars that end up under the humidifier?

[Puff Scotty]

Yeah but they can't dry out if they aren't there! I'll see if I can find the reference for the humidity change bloom.

Hi I agree again, although I've been knocked already on this thread, mine are personal observations & I'm definately not a retailer.
Years ago & I mean years, I heard this discussion & a lot of what was said then still holds true.
I had a box of Juan Lopez which started to bloom after 3 years (at the cap end) & had significant plume 18 months later. On first discussing this I was told it was mould caused by the gum used in the capping process - this was not true in this instance.
I was also told that plume could be affected by fluctuation in humidity which I'm sure is correct. My last comment being the oils could not crystalise until reaching the outer surface.
As I also said " I had heard sories of " & later agreed they were "stories" of freezer use for mould. As for isopropyl alcohol I use it in 2% solution & have had no problems with it whatsoever on my sticks or in my humi.
I have seen all colours of mould on cigars mostly I maintain from fluctuating temperature in humi's not just the humidity, in fact one leading Australian cigar retailer tells you the "correct" level is 70-75...
My post was supposed to be helpful but obviously I'm lacking in the experience of some of the members of the Forum but having only been smoking for 35 years I'll bow to ther superior knowledge.
My apologies to all,
Puff.

[tippexx]

Hi I agree again, although I've been knocked already on this thread, mine are personal observations & I'm definately not a retailer.
Years ago & I mean years, I heard this discussion & a lot of what was said then still holds true.
I had a box of Juan Lopez which started to bloom after 3 years (at the cap end) & had significant plume 18 months later. On first discussing this I was told it was mould caused by the gum used in the capping process - this was not true in this instance.
I was also told that plume could be affected by fluctuation in humidity which I'm sure is correct. My last comment being the oils could not crystalise until reaching the outer surface.
As I also said " I had heard sories of " & later agreed they were "stories" of freezer use for mould. As for isopropyl alcohol I use it in 2% solution & have had no problems with it whatsoever on my sticks or in my humi.
I have seen all colours of mould on cigars mostly I maintain from fluctuating temperature in humi's not just the humidity, in fact one leading Australian cigar retailer tells you the "correct" level is 70-75...
My post was supposed to be helpful but obviously I'm lacking in the experience of some of the members of the Forum but having only been smoking for 35 years I'll bow to ther superior knowledge.
My apologies to all,
Puff.

I just wonder if the box date is any good at all as a determiner of when or not a cigar might accumulate plume. After all, the tobacco itself might be four to six years old before being rolled.

I have a box of Boli Bonitas 07 which a showing crystalisation and a cab of HdM du Marie 05s that are showing signs of plumeing along nicely.

Humidity within humidors and more likely tuppadors can I think be caused to fluctuate. Rapid changes in temperature or in barometric pressure being the primary culprits.